Nursery Tour: Gracie's Bedroom

We love how, at times, a more traditional room can appear just as fresh and bright as its modern counterparts. Gracie's room is a fine example of that. Jennifer, Gracie's mother, has created a place that is a warm and cozy retreat; a "shabby chic" room that's filled with magic and charm.

When asked about her design philosophy, Jennifer states, "...I just go with pieces I like, simply put. I don't buy to match, but it always works out. Most of the room is filled with antiques, with Ikea and Target thrown in there (I'm also an Ebay addict). I wanted the room to be girly and cozy."

Among the many antiques in the room are the dresser, the bench (which holds toys, blocks and books in decorated buckets), the plates on the wall and the armchair. Like many of our readers, several of the elements in her child's room were handmade: the blanket that lays over the chair, the 3 kittens at the foot of the bed and the foot stool were all made by Jennifer or her friends and family.

Throughout the room are various letters hanging from the walls. Jennifer tells us that the entire alphabet is represented, "...[there are] letters from all over the world; some antique, some from Ebay and some from Kmart. It took me awhile to complete the set. I put it up when she was 3 and that was how she learned all her letters." Fun and functional!

The other items in the room include a headboard from In Home Furnishings, a Hokus duvet from Ikea and an armoire which Jennifer's mother has painted mermaids on.

When asked to give advice on how to approach the decorating process for an older child, Jennifer replied... "I don't like to go with a 'theme'. I think kids outgrow them too quick and you'll be doing the room over every year. Grace has had this room with very little change since she was one (minus the crib). I just switch stuff up every once in awhile. When she was 3, I switched antique baby pictures for the letters. I think if you buy what you love without worrying about matching and themes and you'll end up loving the room."